News

Community Speed Watch Continues to Grow Across Wales

Community Speed Watch schemes continue to grow across Wales. The schemes, which are staffed by volunteers and supported by Neighbourhood Policing Teams are progressing well across the country.

The idea of the schemes is to empower the community to support the Police and GoSafe with dealing with speeding vehicles on Welsh roads.

There are currently in excess of 200 sites across Wales.

Does it work?

It's still relatively early days but anecdotal evidence suggests it is having an impact. In North Wales for example, a scheme in Graigfechan and Llanfair DC was launched in September. Five monitoring sessions have taken place and approximately 60 letters have been sent out to speeding motorists. Volunteers there already claim to be seeing a notable reduction in speed at the location.

How does it work?

Volunteers from the community come together and receive training from local Police officers or GoSafe personnel. All necessary equipment is provided to be used to monitor speed at the location.

Any vehicles exceeding a set threshold have their details recorded. At the end of the session those details are documented and emailed to a co-ordinator. The details are subsequently fed into a computer system run by North Wales Police.

A first warning letter is sent explaining the speeding offence and issuing appropriate advice. Any subsequent offences involving that vehicle can result in more official action from local Police officers.

The idea is to advise motorists, but if that approach does not have the desired effect then further action will be considered.

For more information please visit GoSafe.org. The link to Community SpeedWatch can be found on the homepage.